Re: water crossing

[Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net>]

Bob..

<grin> It doesn't have to be blue...they are just the most common. 
There are also brown ones....doesn't matter.  If you have a creek in
your pasture (I do, too) it's a non issue...they've been in and out of
it so much that crossing creeks is a no brainer. However, if they have
never SEEN a "creek crossing", it's an unbelievably major deal!

Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic
Bob Morris wrote:
> 
> Hey Jim:
> 
> Why does it require a blue tarp? None of the streams I know of are blue.
> 
> The  best way to get a horse to cross is to have the food on the other side.
> Cross or go hungry. They soon learn.  course I am lucky and have a stream in
> my pasture. Dry right now but in the proper season it is very good for
> training.
> 
> Had an interesting one last week. Riding my four year old gelding who loves
> to play in the water. Out in the hills there is a small stream about one
> foot wide and one foot deep bordered by heavy grass. He would not cross it
> under saddle. Would not even jump it. Took about a half hour of trying and
> then he finally put a foot right in the middle and slowly stepped across. I
> do believe he was just giving me a hard time.
> 
> Bob
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Holland [mailto:lanconn@tds.net]
> Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 8:02 PM
> To: Kathy Mayeda; Ridecamp
> Subject: RC: RE: water crossing
> 
> O.K...Guess I will jump in here on this.  This is another one of those
> situations where it's best to have "done your homework".  Thing is with
> horses, you first gotta get them into water. Once you do that, you can't
> get 'em out! Had a mare once that laid down in a creek...in the middle
> of 4 other riders....with me still aboard.  I'm smacking the crap out of
> her and she's just laying there enjoying the cool.  Only horse I ever
> had that the farrier told me I had to wash her so he could find her
> feet! Just a real water/mud puppy.
> 
> Anyway, I digress..  Back to the subject.  First thing you do is your
> homework before you hit the trail.  Find you one of those big blue
> tarps...the kind they sell at Home Depot.  You then use the "go forward"
> cue (tap on the butt with a dressage whip) just like trailer loading to
> get them to walk onto the tarp...however long it takes.
> 
> Once they are comfortable with this, RIDE them onto the tarp until it's
> a no brainer.  Then look for a small creek with good entry. (The
> American River is not a good choice) Hmmm...someone once told me about a
> lady who was leading the Tevis until she got to the American River and
> her horse wouldn't cross...didn't finish. Talk about not doing your
> homework!
> 
> I digress again...  Anyway, once you get the horse comfortable with the
> tarp, head for the creek...small creek. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LOTS OF TIME.
> When you get there, don't tense up, act funny, etc.  Just walk right up
> there like no big deal.  If the horse balks, pick a "spot"... EXACTLY
> where you want the horse to cross.  Now, keep his nose pointed at that
> "spot"....no matter what he does...and keep "asking". No whips, no
> nothing....just ask with your legs and keep him "pointed" at the "spot".
> As soon as he moves forward, stop asking. If he wants to drop his head
> and sniff, let him. Don't rush.  Keep him as calm as possible, but KEEP
> asking.  Usually he will put in a foot, snort at the water, maybe paw a
> little, put a foot in, back out, etc.  Just be patient and KEEP
> ASKING....however long it takes....hour, day, week...keep asking. WE
> WILL NOT LEAVE UNTIL HE CROSSES.
> 
> Now the problem....If you have ever let him refuse and get away with it,
> it's MUCH harder.  In this case, I recommend you get off, stand in the
> creek and use the "go forward" cue using the guidelines above.  You
> don't NOT want him to jump the creek. If he indicates he wants to do
> that, ask him to back up and try again. On the ground, you can pull his
> head around when he "poises" to jump.
> 
> That's why I said "do your homework" first.  Once you start that first
> crossing, you will NOT leave there until he does it.  After he "walks"
> through the first one, it's all over.
> 
> Had a mare once who would cross anything...LOVED water. What crossed her
> eyes was that "Arab Eating Sponge".  Drop that sponge in the water and
> drag it toward her....went bug eyed and ballistic.  Took me forever to
> get her over that.....I just couldn't figure out how to "teach" her
> that. (Close your ears)  Finally one day in desperation, I just beat the
> crap out of her WITH the sponge. Sorta like Kathy smacking 'em between
> the eyes...don't know why it worked, it just did! However, I don't
> recommend this as an addendum to natural horsemanship. <grin>
> 
> Good Luck
> 
> Jim, Sun of Dimanche and Mahada Magic
> 
> > Kathy Mayeda wrote:
> >
> 
> >
> > I’ve never had too much trouble ever teaching a horse to cross a
> > stream.  A lot of it was a patience and tapping the butt with a
> > dressage whip (or a switch from a nearby tree.)   Note that I said
> > TAPPING, not striking.  And of course, having another horse lead the
> > way over the stream, but I bet you have already tried this, so I’ll
> > let other more wiser people comment!
> >
> > K.
> >
> >           -----Original Message-----
> >           From:   guest@endurance.net [mailto:guest@endurance.net]
> >           Sent:   Monday, August 20, 2001 1:09 PM
> >           To:     ridecamp@endurance.net
> >           Subject:        RC:  water crossing
> >
> >           Angela Lewis mccorkle@thegrid.net
> >           I have a horse that refused to cross water of any sort.
> >           Would love to
> >           hear of any suggestions for this problem.  I think I have
> >           tried just about
> >           anything but very open for suggestions.  Thanks Angela
> >           mccorkle@thegrid.net
> >
> >
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-- 
Richard T. "Jim" Holland                 Phone:  (706) 258-2830
LANCONN, Inc.                            FAX:    (706) 632-1271
Three Creeks Farm			 INTERNET:  lanconn@tds.net
175 Hells Hollow Drive                   
Blue Ridge, GA 30513